New Year, New You - Mind and Body Retreats for a Fresh Start to 2016

Photo from: West Lexham Manor www.westlexham.org 

Sometimes New Year celebrations can be over-rated, and often the last thing you need is more indulgence and excess after Christmas. Why not start 2016 with something a little more zen and escape on one of these mind-body retreats for the ultimate in relaxation?

Silence is golden

After the chaos of the Christmas period, we are all in need of a bit of peace and quiet and you will get three days of this at this retreat in East Sussex. From Wednesday evening to Saturday lunchtime, enjoy long walks, yoga and meditation in blissful silence. Accommodation is in comfortable yet basic dorms, with home-cooked vegetarian food on offer. Running from 30th December to 2nd January, this is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the festive season. Visit www.retreattogayles.co.uk to book your place.

New Year namaste

If the idea of a yoga retreat floats your boat, then this New Year yoga retreat is pretty much perfect. Spend a few days at West Lexham Manor, a Georgian manor house in Norfolk, set in stunning grounds and surrounded by miles of countryside ideal for long walks. There is a choice of accommodation, from budget dormitories to luxury rooms, and with twice-daily yoga and meditation sessions you will be feeling zen in no time. Running from 29th December to 1st January, there is a celebratory New Year's Eve meal, with organic, vegetarian food made from home-grown ingredients. Expect party games, seaside and country walks, singing and massage sessions − a great way to see in the New Year with some new friends! Book at www.yogakutir.com.

Creative minds

If being more open-minded and planning adventures for the year ahead is on your agenda, you will love this slightly different creative break. With painting, comedy improv, ukulele playing and life coaching sessions to help you to make the most of what is going to be an exciting year, this is a chance to have fun and reflect on what lies ahead in 2016. There is a New Year's Eve ball, and optional beauty treatments are available to guests. Running from 30th December to 2nd January at the Grange, a stunning Georgian house, this will be a New Year to remember! Secure your place at www.thegrangebythesea.com.

A healthy start

Head for the Scottish Highlands and you can enjoy a relaxing, healthy start to 2016 at the EcoYoga Centre in Argyll & Bute. With workshops on yoga theory and ashtanga yoga classes, in addition to an underground sauna, glass-domed rainforest showers and a hot tub with natural spring water, this is the ultimate place to relax. Wood-fired stoves and delicious organic vegetarian food are the perfect finishing touch at this retreat, which runs from 29th December to 3rd January. Visit www.ecoyoga.org to book.